Academics

Because the child’s physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual needs are interrelated, Villa Maria promotes the growth of the whole child, providing small, highly structured classes where instruction is personalized and individualized. A social worker, speech pathologist, and occupational therapist work collaboratively within each classroom, helping teachers incorporate a variety of instructional methodologies.

Morning classes focus on development of reading, math, and language arts skills. Students are grouped according to their abilities and skills in these subjects. Teachers employ an eclectic approach, adapting and modifying methods of instruction to meet individual student needs. Lessons are multisensory and address the multiple intelligences of the students.

Reading - Instruction uses a variety of materials and incorporates the Lindamood-Bell processes for decoding and comprehension. Orton Gillingham strategies are employed for reading and spelling. Story grammar is used to help students understand narrative elements. Language – Grammar and mechanics are directly taught. Learning about sentence structure and expanding sentences begin in first grade. Students use structured outlines to organize simple paragraphs and longer compositions. Grades 4 through 8 have writing labs with networked, on-line computers available.

Mathematics – Instruction is multisensory. Students work at the appropriate skill level, while teachers provide remediation necessary to bring achievement to grade level. Knowledge of basic facts is reinforced and strategies for calculations, conceptual understanding, and problem solving are taught.